Most of us hold in our possession one of the most precious treasures ever passed down to mankind, and yet we fail to appreciate its value. When Benjamin Franklin was the Ambassador to France, he occasionally attended the Infidels’ Club — a group of atheists which critiqued the Bible and other literary masterpieces. On one occasion, Franklin read the book of Ruth to the club, but changed the names in it so it would not be recognized as a book of the Bible. When he finished, the listeners were unanimous in their praise. They said it was one of the most beautiful short stories they had ever heard, and demanded that he tell them its source. He loved telling them that it came from the Bible.

Do you have a favorite Bible story? Many have found a special place in our hearts — the story of Abraham and Sarah, the Exodus of Israel from Egypt, the story of Ruth, the story of David’s ascent to the throne, or perhaps the miracles of Jesus. We may love these stories because of their style, because of their personal relevance, or simply because they highlight important attributes of God’s character. Regardless of why we enjoy them, they are testaments to the beauty of Scripture.

The Bible is far more than a literary classic. It has confounded the wise and enlightened the simple. Yet its power lies in its application. Its beauty sparkles like a jewel in the life of a person who takes it seriously enough to align his life with its teachings.

A marginal acquaintance with God’s Word may be sufficient to delight your senses; but personal experience of the truths of Scripture will change your life. The measure of this treasure is found in its impact on your heart — and that is completely up to you.

The Bible is not meant merely to inform, but to transform. — Unknown Author

Devotional by Pastor Jim Scudder, Jr.

Do you ever find yourself at odds with some people? Henry Kissinger and Donald Rumsfeld were two statesmen who had their share of disputes during the brief time they worked together in Washington, D.C. Kissinger served the United States from 1969-1976 as a political scientist, adviser for national security affairs, and Secretary of State. Rumsfeld served as Secretary of Defense from 1975-1977, and again from 2001-2006. Even though sparks sometimes flew in their work relationship, Henry Kissinger said of Donald Rumsfeld that he was “an occasional adversary, but always a friend”.

A real friend is someone who tells you your faults to your face, and still considers you a friend. The Word of God does that for believers. Sometimes it has to be our Adversary because its truth stands in the way of our thinking and conduct, but it is never our enemy. It is always a Friend.

How should we respond to the correction offered by this Friend? I have to admit it’s never easy to be corrected. It goes against everything in us because we think we’re right. But sometimes when we think we’re right, we are actually very wrong. It takes a good Friend like the Word of God to tell us the truth. Then we have two choices: 1. We can allow ourselves to get offended by it and refuse to listen—and be at odds with God, or 2. We can humble ourselves and accept what it has to say—and allow the truth to change us for the better.

The real question is not, “Why does the Bible always point out my faults?” but “How much do I want to be right?” If we want the Word to do its perfect work in us, then we will allow it to bring us temporary discomfort so that it can produce lasting change. Is there something the Bible has been convicting you about? Though it is an occasional Adversary, it is always your Friend.

There is one sure and infallible Guide to truth, and therefore, one, and only one Corrective for error, and that is the Word of God. — G. Campbell Morgan

Devotional by Dr. James A. Scudder

The Bible stands like a rock undaunted
‘Mid the raging storms of time;
Its pages burn with the truth eternal,
And they glow with a light sublime.

The Bible stands like a mountain towering
Far above the works of men;
Its truth by none ever was refuted,
And destroy it they never can.

The Bible stands every test we give it,
For its Author is divine;
By grace alone I expect to live it,
And to prove and to make it mine.
- Haldor Lillenas

Some of the greatest evidence for the accuracy of the Bible comes up from the dirt. Now I’m not referring to the worms and grubs in your garden. I’m referring to archaeology, the study of ancient cultures. Time and time again, archaeological finds have verified the Biblical account.

Perhaps the strongest archaeological evidences for the Bible are the Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in 1947. Before this monumental discovery, Bible critics believed parts of Isaiah, with its Messianic prophecies, were written after the time of Christ. When the scrolls were found, they not only contained the book of Isaiah, but it was proven that they were copied at least 200 years before Christ’s birth. The Word of God had again silenced its critics.

The Bible stands. If you still aren’t convinced, try to name one argument it cannot answer. . . .

Everything you need for this life and the life to come has been outlined in the pages of the book we call the Word of God. You could be trusting God to provide a job, but are ready to give up because of a fruitless search. Maybe you are discouraged because of the injustices you have endured at the hands (and mouths) of people you once considered friends. Though the circumstances and people in your life will change for better or worse, the Bible’s truth remains unchanged. It will stand when you rest your weight upon it.

The Christian can take the whole Bible in his hand and say without fear or hesitation that he holds in it the true Word of God, handed down without essential loss from generation to generation throughout the centuries. — Sir Frederic G. Kenyon

Devotional by Pastor Jim Scudder, Jr.